31 juli 2016

A while ago I showed a face that seemed to get out of a wall of the University of Amsterdam (see HERE). This is another one; and it's expression looks so real that it's kind of weird, don't you think? Spooky even.

The face is on a building along the Rokin. I have no idea who created it, or what's the idea behind it..

30 juli 2016

Safety first and of course that includes everybody on board! This dog was watching carefully how his man- and lady-boss were guiding their boat through the locks of the Hjälmaren Canal.

The 13 km long canal connects Lake Hjälmaren with Lake Mälaren in Sweden. It was taken into use in 1639, aimed to transport iron from the Central Swedish Mining District to Stockholm. In total 9 canal locks lower the boats 22 metres down to Lake Mälaren.

28 juli 2016

In Sweden it is very normal to see several mailboxes grouped together at one point in the street, which makes it easier for the postman, especially in winter when there is a lot of snow I guess. Look how pretty this arrangement was made: with milk cans, a lantern, a rooster, and even a small hippo (next to the flowerpot)! :)
The photo was made during a hike near the village of Vägsjöfors.

26 juli 2016

On our way from Göteborg to Arboga we passed the village of Gränna on the eastern shores of lake Vättern, and stopped to have a look at the famous "Polkagrisar": Swedish candy sticks ('zuurstokken' in Dutch) that are so special that they attract a million visitors each year. Look how people stand in line in this shop!
The candy sticks were invented in 1859 by Amalia Eriksson, a poor 35-year-old widow. Amalia needed to support herself and her family when her husband died, and opened a bakery to make pastries and peppermint rocks. She kept the recipe of the polkagrisar secret and it was only revealed upon her death in 1923.

The traditional polkagris candy cane is white and red, and peppermint flavoured. Nowadays they come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. The candy is made of sugar dough which is boiled, kneaded on a marble baking table, pulled, and twisted by hand to the right size. If you like 'sweet' this is your thing! :)

25 juli 2016

The cloudberry (in Dutch known as 'kruipbraam' or 'veenbraam') grows best in cool temperatures, arctic tundras and boreal forests. They can withstand cold temperatures to well below -40°C (-40°F)! and grow in bogs, marshes and wet meadows; all conditions that can be found in Scandinavia.
We a lot of cloudberries when we hiked in the northern part of the Swedish region Dalarna earlier this month. Early July they were still small but were showing their beautiful bright colour already. They made us remember a holiday in Finland from several years ago, when we had a spoonful of cloudberry jam on some pancakes; delicious!!

24 juli 2016

.. and later we were surprised to see it on the streets :) Whenever we go to Stockholm another time for a few more days we will definitely take this Amphibious Tour, it looks such a funny way to explore the city!

22 juli 2016

Two more quiet alleys in Stockholm´s Old City, Gamla Stan. Don´t you just love the colours of the buildings?

From the mid-19th century to the early-mid 20th century Gamla Stan was considered a slum, as many of its historical buildings were left in disrepair. From the 1970s and 80s, however, it has become a tourist attraction as the charm of its medieval, Renaissance architecture and later additions have been valued by later generations.

21 juli 2016

Gamla Stan, the Old Town of Stockholm, was officially called 'Staden mellan broarna' (The Town between the Bridges) until 1980. Its narrow streets with many shops, colourful houses and small galleries attract many tourists.

But if you look well there is a number of interesting medieval alleyways and cobbled streets to explore in this 13th century town. North German architecture has had a strong influence in the Old Town's construction. Several names refer to that period, for instance Tyska Brinken ("German Slope") and the large Tyska kyrkan ("German church").

20 juli 2016

During our stay in Sweden this month we took the train one day to visit the beautiful city Stockholm, and where to find more signs than in a big city? :)
This restaurant "The Hairy Pig Deli" can be found at the Österlånggatan in Gamla Stan, the old city of Stockholm. I googled their website for the origins of the peculiar name, and read that The Hairy Pig Deli began as a dream in the Loire Valley in France. After a succesful wild boar hunt, chef Joseph Turner had the idea of one day opening a restaurant called "The Hairy Pig Deli". And eventually the dream came true much more far north, in Stockholm Sweden!

18 juli 2016

Following up on yesterday's post, this photo was also taken at the Rottneros Flower and Sculpture Garden in Sunne, Sweden.
Isn't this a funny variety in the many kinds of small garden fountains that are for sale these days? :)

16 juli 2016

Here I am looking down at my reflection in a wet part of the hike we made a few days ago near the Fämtan Falls in the Swedish province of Värmland.
So we arrived home this afternoon from a wonderful and well-spent two weeks in Sweden! More to follow :)